Posted in News on Feb 03, 2003.
Eight teams from across the globe will take part in this premier club event. Kaizer Chiefs have decided that twenty players will form part of their 30 man delegation.
Peace Cup organising committee chairman Jung-Hwan Kwak will officially announce names of the participating teams tomorrow in a conference to mark the beginning of another football history in Korea.
South Korea recently co-hosted the 2002 Fifa World Cup along with Japan and the event was hailed a major success in footballing circles.
While Amakhosi, Italian side AS Roma and a South Korean side are certainly confirmed to take part in this historic tournament, English Premiership side Liverpool are doubtful and should they not be among the eight, a Brazilian side could be roped in.
The organisers could bring in a team from Brazil and the United States. The will also be a team from Holland which is likely to be either Ajax Amsterdam of PSV Eindhoven, currently coached by former South Korean World Cup coach Guus Hiddink.
Amakhosi currently have 32 players on their books and Motaung admitted that it would be difficult to trim the number down to the desired 20. The South African transfer window could also present Amakhosi with the opportunity downsize their playing personnel.
“We have quite a big number to work with and we will sit down with the technical team to reduce that number to a sizeable figure. Moreover the selection for players who will represent us at this tournament will be based on individual performance between now and
July,” said Motaung.
While Chiefs have battled with injuries recently, the challenge of playing against the world’s best clubs could further heighten competition in the team and this will mean god news for Amakhosi’s championship aspirations.
Players like Arthur Zwane, Nhlanhla Kubeka and Gary Goldstone have seen little action due to injuries and it appears that they will have a mountain to climb in regaining their places in the squad.
New players like Martin Carelse have also been thrown into the thick of things as joint-coaches Doctor Khumalo and Donald Khuse shown confidence in the youth.
Veteran John “Shoes” Moshoeu seems to get better with age and his arrival at Naturena has stabilised the midfield and along with stars like goalkeeper Brian Baloyi, to mention just a few, has helped the Glamour Boys to a 12-match unbeaten run. More consistent performance like these could see Moshoeu and Baloyi on the flight to South Korea in July.
Dates and prize money will also be confirmed on Wednesday but the tournament is likely to take place between eight and 10 days with teams divided into two groups and groups winners playing in the final.
The Peace Cup is set to take place at World Cup venue Incheon Stadium developing football passion among the South Koreans could see supporters flocking to the stadium for the duration of the event.
Amakhosi’s participation marks yet another historic first as they become the first South African club to participate in such a global club competition.
This will, according to brand manager Emy Casaletti-Page, further help the club in their drive to globalise the Kaizer Chiefs brand "The selection of Kaizer Chiefs out of the whole of Africa is an
achievement in itself," said Casaletti-Page.
The competition will be more than just about football as Amakhosi’s participation could lead to further economic ties between the South African government and their South Korean counterparts, who seem to be the master of promoting home brewed products as it can be
seen on their national roads.
Most of the cars on the streets are manufactured in the East and so are most of their goods. With South Africa aiming for a similar drive through the Proudly South African campaign, this invitation wouldn’t have come at a more opportune time.
The conference takes place at the Grant Hyatt in Seoul from 10:00 to 14:00 local time (03:00 to 10:00 SA time).
